Political candidates violating the Electoral Commission (EC) guidelines on COVID-19 risk to be disqualified or arrested.
The EC chairman Justice Simon Byabakama warned all defiant candidates to immediately stop addressing mass gathering whiling risking lives of millions of Ugandans.
He said the warning cuts across all political candidates but most importantly Presidential Candidates who have lately been seen rallying mammoth gathering in their quest for votes.
“The Electoral Commission wishes to appreciate candidates who have organised and conducted public meetings in accordance with the Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for conducting campaigns in a COVID-19 environment,” Justice Byabakama said in a statement released on Wednesday evening.
“The Commission has, however, noted with concern that some candidates, including Presidential candidates, are holding their campaigns in a manner that violates the Guidelines for Conduct of Campaign Meetings.”
Mr Byabakama said some candidates are mobilizing their supporters to gather at campaign venues in large numbers.
“It is important to note that The Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (Amendment No.3) Rules, 2020, issued on 9th November 2020, provides that gatherings for purposes of political meetings should not exceed two hundred (200) persons,” he added.
He further condemned the act of conducting processions along public roads, through towns and trading centres, and are also holding rallies in non designated venues as per the harmonised campaign programme.
“This is in violation of the Commission’s Guidelines that the campaigns should be conducted in observance of Standard Operating Procedures (social distancing, hand washing, and wearing of masks) and in designated places.”
He also said candidates should immediately desist making impromptu stopovers in trading centres, attracting and addressing public gatherings along busy highways from their car rooftops.
The Commission warns all candidates contesting for various elective positions under the General Elections 2021, and all other stakeholders in the electoral process to conduct themselves in accordance with the Guidelines for the campaigns and strictly observe the measures issued by the Commission.
“Non-compliance with the Guidelines issued for the campaign period will necessitate intervention by law enforcing agencies, among other measures.”
